The Mayor of Kumasi, Hon. Richard Ofori Agyeman Boadi, has vowed to lead vigorous advocacy efforts aimed at reducing HIV/AIDS cases in the metropolis.

His decision has become necessary following Kumasi’s current position as second in HIV/AIDS prevalence in the Ashanti Region, behind only Juaben Municipal Assembly.

Data available to the Ghana AIDS Commission suggest that Kumasi has about 7,582 people living with HIV, with 267 new infections recorded in 2025.

“The figures for Kumasi are worrying. As Mayor, it is my responsibility to speak out against this challenge so that our city is not remembered for HIV/AIDS,” he stated.

Hon. Agyeman Boadi made the remarks on Friday, July 24, 2026, during the inauguration of the Metropolitan AIDS Committee at his office.

He heads a nine-member committee tasked, among other responsibilities, with driving down AIDS prevalence in the city.

The Mayor further stressed the need to educate the public, particularly young people, who he described as a vulnerable group, as part of efforts to curb new infections.

Olivia Graham, Technical Coordinator of the Ghana AIDS Commission for the Ashanti Region, inaugurated the committee members and urged them to work assiduously to bring prevalence rates down.

She disclosed that the Ashanti Region recorded 2,852 new HIV infections in 2025, placing it second only to Greater Accra nationwide.

Ms. Graham also expressed concern over the trend and called on members of the Metropolitan AIDS Committee to work together to reverse the situation.

BY Thomas Awuah Asem